Comments on: You Promised Hydrofoils - Laird Hamilton, Nazaré, and Hydrofoils. Why has this not happened yet?http://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/
Surf News, Fantasy Surfer, Photos, Video and ForecastingTue, 03 Mar 2015 22:17:00 -0800hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.9.3By: sky divehttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2227922
Sun, 07 Sep 2014 21:01:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2227922I am creating a suf board that will fly in the air I wonder if lance would be interested in giving it a go
]]>By: sky divehttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2227921
Sun, 07 Sep 2014 20:37:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2227921Want to surf the sky the ultimate wave is above us sky board
]]>By: Tomhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2224560
Sun, 13 Apr 2014 22:57:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2224560Laird is the greatest surfer since the days of Greg noll and the other big wave hunters that took big wave surfing to another level in hawaii. With that said, he comes across sounding like an ass who seems threatened by others’ accomplishments.

Not a total surprise, I’ve heard from others that have been in a lineup with him that he acts like he owns it even if he’s not a local. And no, I don’t buy the whole “he can do what he wants because he’s laird”. He can still show some humility even with being as great as he is.

]]>By: Surffoilshttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2222089
Sat, 01 Feb 2014 10:59:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2222089Hydrofoiling hasn’t got the industry behind it, the board guys don’t want to start making something different and the fin companies don’t want anything to do with it because they don’t make foils. Sure its a cool, fast, unique ride but there’s no one supplying the equipment to the market, so its amazing, it’s exciting but there’s no chance of finding a foilboard in your local shop.
]]>By: therealdmthttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2219985
Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:38:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2219985“If she’s got the balls to have a go,then that’s the only credential required”

- not quite. The fear is that unprepared people (perhaps many of them), seeing all the big wave coverage and all, will go out there in giant surf thinking they can do it too — and die. Besides the tragedy of the loss of human life that would be involved, the consequence would be, after enough deaths, legislation. The entire activity could be shut down, ruining things for all involved.

The thing is, who is to determine who is qualified for the credential of “big wave surfer”? If it was only in Hawaii, maybe Laird and his buddies could enforce things out in the lineups. But it’s all around the world. Hamilton tried to enforce things from afar, and looked kind of bad doing it.

In the end, hopefully common sense prevails and stops fools from attempting what they shouldn’t. Jet skis though means anyone can “paddle out” and make it back out after a ride. Ultimately, I imagine various places will forbid surfing in waves over a certain size, or require actual certification and have rules that must be followed (like having a lifeguard present and wearing a certified floatations device, etc.!

]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2218871
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:33:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2218871I had the same thoughts you cannot fall
]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2218869
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:32:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2218869Laird is such nice person he would tolerate all of us talking about something we really don’t know anything about
]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2218867
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:31:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2218867Some would say the QUEEN of womens surfing is Jerrico popper, Rell Sun, or Layne Beachley, More style points less noise
]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2218865
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:30:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2218865Nope didn’t televise it.
]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2218863
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:29:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2218863He is still doing it so we are both wrong its more like 20+ years now. He goes out alone now when the circus leaves town
]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2218861
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:28:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2218861I would love to you buying?
]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2218859
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 03:27:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2218859Do you know laird? I do I met him a couple of times with his wife in Malibu. The first time I met him he was jumping out of trees to scare tourist around Hanelai. He is the nicest person you could ever meet. Not a malicious bone in his body. You missed the point lost point of what he was saying. Lots of people have near misses. He had a few. I have had a few. If you have a lot of them its time to re-evaluate what you are doing. You are doing something wrong if its a consistent problem.
]]>By: Matt benderhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217867
Wed, 13 Nov 2013 02:44:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217867…of a director. (No offense to Laird)
]]>By: Matt benderhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217851
Wed, 13 Nov 2013 02:12:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217851The author is apparently oblivious to the fact that the feasibility of riding that POS on a huge wave is nothing short of a pipe dream.
]]>By: whamohttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217841
Wed, 13 Nov 2013 00:36:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217841You would think Laird would get more respect from the kuks.
]]>By: Surfcrazyhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217839
Wed, 13 Nov 2013 00:11:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217839All “Lard” seems to have done recently is gotten fat off mazda commercials imho…
]]>By: AChttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217265
Wed, 06 Nov 2013 16:28:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217265http://g1.globo.com/fantastico/noticia/2013/11/imagens-ineditas-mostram-momentos-de-panico-vividos-por-maya-gabeira.html

“THIS GIRLS IS ON FIRE…………………………………” GOD BLESS THE QUEEN OF SURF, MAYA!!!!

who is the king? Jeff Clark, Burle, Aikau or Danilo Couto?

The joker was on CNN!

]]>By: nettwench14http://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217203
Wed, 06 Nov 2013 04:00:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217203You must not have seen the Nazare wave she made before the wipeout.
]]>By: nettwench14http://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217197
Wed, 06 Nov 2013 03:54:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217197Or Cortes.
]]>By: jameshttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217109
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 18:56:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217109I’ve always wondered what happens when you fall on a hydrofoil board? Looks like it’s solidly attached to your feet. The boots are in bindings and the bindings are attached to the board. No way out. Just you and 50 pounds of steel thrashing around for a two-wave hold down. Breaking legs would seem likely, and then the whole apparatus is free to flop around and mangle the rest of you. No thanks.
]]>By: jbinsbhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217107
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 18:48:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217107Jeez, you have a hard time staying on topic, right?
]]>By: smellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217097
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 17:39:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217097who the fuck cares
]]>By: Justanotherdonkeyhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217095
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 17:25:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217095I disagree, when the surf hits over 20-25 (Hawaiian) and bigger, safety is number #1 not the “joy of nature.” Anyone that has been in conditions of that echelon knows this, simple as that. Sure at its core at the end of the day that is what surfing is all about, but not in the impact zone when you’re about to have a 2 wave hold down.
]]>By: Justanotherdonkeyhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217091
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 17:13:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217091I’d like Mr. Housman to say all of this to Laird’s face and anyone else who is talking smack about him. I think if anyone is entitled to have an opinion it’s him. It’s amazing the balls people appear to have from the safety of their macbook. Let’s see it people.
]]>By: A.M.http://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217087
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:18:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217087Yeah and while he’s at it…I’d like to see Laird paddle giant proper Mavericks too.
]]>By: Maxhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217083
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 12:09:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217083I respect many of Lairds achievements – and we are richer for it. For Maya I think we are missing the point and need to respect she is a multiple world record big-wave rider sponsored by Red Bull. She charges macking Wammy, Chopes and will put on a steamer for smoking Dungeons and Nazaré. Maya is a surfing gladiator that survived a 60 foot Nazaré wipeout wearing a steamer and with a broken ankle. For the next big Nazaré why not join Laird with the hydrofoil, Maya, GMac & Carlos towing for an all-time session.
]]>By: dgbhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217081
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 11:30:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217081What the fuck is wrong with surfing and it’s followers? Laird makes the sort of comment he would make to you at a backyard bbq and he’s an arsehole… On Carlos’s ride, he’s on the money. When was the last time you bragged to your mates about the wave you didn’t make? On Maya’s credibility, he’s just plain wrong. If she’s got the balls to have a go,then that’s the only credential required. Maya’s biggest problem is Carlos can’t drive a ski for shit. If he didn’t miss picking her up three times in a row the entire episode would have been a three or four comment sponsored edit for lazy editors at surfing and surfer and stab to chuck up with all the other shit the chuck up. Wouldn’t even had made it out into the real world.
]]>By: SUPsuckshttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217077
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 09:32:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217077Laird Hamilton invented SUP… What a dushbag.
]]>By: Pedrohttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217073
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 08:38:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217073http://vimeo.com/78354081#at=0
]]>By: ola_dunk_nordmannhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217067
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 08:11:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217067Maya has a big disadvantage just from being a girl with her lighter weight. Way harder to dampen the chop when you are lightweight.
That said, she was alive and well on the inside (although with a broken ankle which is no big surprise on a wipeout on a tow board with straps). The problem was not Maya’s lack of skill, it was the lack of skill on the rescuers behalf. Every big wave surfer will find themselves in a situation where they need rescue sooner or later. You think Laird could outswim the rips in Nazare?
]]>By: Dameshttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217065
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 07:36:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217065Admittedly Laird was pushing the possibilities of tow surfing the hardest at the beginning, but his rank style made it hard for me to really get engaged by it – to me it looked like he was water skiing or something. Sorry but for me, years from now Laird will be remembered for forgotten surfing gimmicks – velcro boot aerials, hydrofoils, and tow surfing – which has been upstaged (rightfully) by guys actually paddling in to the very waves Laird so heroically(!) tow surfed. Oh and for never wearing a shirt.
]]>By: great jobhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217055
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 03:58:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217055This article is kind of stupid. who honestly cares.
]]>By: Danhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217045
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 02:40:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217045Maybe you research all the other MEN who have almost drown more than once and stop insinuating that only MAYA has had close calls. Keala has had her close calls, and in SMALL conditions she lost a solid chunk of face that could have been her eye or worse. Greg Long had his near-drowning. It is the nature of the sport, and any sport with heavy conditions. How many people have had near-drownings at Pipe on multiple occasions? It doesn’t dictate their level of expertise, or years of experience, or skill. Shit happen. The ocean does not play favorites. It humbles the man OR woman when its time. How may people have been in multiple car accidents, totaling their vehicles and having close calls? THOUSANDS, and most of them were the ‘victim” of those cases. There is no such things as perfection in the water and EVERY single big wave team will tell you that every session is filled with things they could have done better and mistakes to work on. I am sure Laird has had his fair share of them too. Both Maya and Carlos have praised Laird and other pioneers of the sport and have taken loads of advice from them. That is how things work in this community. Generations pass down their knowledge, and ALL of them have thanked their predecessors and given them due credit where it is deserved.
]]>By: AChttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217043
Tue, 05 Nov 2013 02:38:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217043I fully agree, congratulations to Maya and Burle. Congratulations to anyone who played in a giant wave. I remember every day of my life when I drop a wave of 6 feet, this is my record and no one will take that away from me. Congratulations to burle, for having the courage to drop a 100-foot wave. It was possible to paddle jaws? Thinking like Laird, Danilo Couto wouldn’t have paddled it! And if Jeff Clark believed he wasn’t prepared? And Kelly is not young enouth? Or Aikau that is so far?
]]>By: putesputeshttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217027
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 23:54:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217027Laird comments are unfortunate because he took a sport that is all about the joy of nature and turned it into a cesspool of human political BS. He diminished himself and the sport.
]]>By: she-rahttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217025
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 23:40:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217025nothing that grimacing Laird as he gets all hyper-excited about technology while flexing his biceps! Go Laird! He-man of the waves…
]]>By: Perryhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217021
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 23:06:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217021Perry says: Seams like there is some Rivalry against Brazilians involved…
]]>By: Lespaulsmithhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217019
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 23:02:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217019He rode Mavericks for 10 years alone, not 15. You have the right idea, and I completely agree that Maya was an idiot for continuing to try big wave surfing when she doesn’t have the skill, but try and make sure that the information you give in your statement is correct.
]]>By: Jimmy the Sainthttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217009
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 22:02:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217009I am guessing the difference is that Greg Noll paddled into that wave and made the drop, which is quite an accomplisment, whereas there dosesn’t seem to really be a drop with tow surfing, but what do I know?
]]>By: mauiwindhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217007
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:56:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217007Right the fark on!
]]>By: Pzhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217003
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:54:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217003Suppose Laird was there not Carlos or Maya? What would Laird and/or CNN do? what a shame…
]]>By: mauiwindhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2217005
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:54:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2217005It would be irresponsible of any experienced BWR to simply say, “You go girl” about Maya’s near disaster. What, you wanna encourage others to kill themselves? No, being prepared to ride moving monstrosities is also about being strong enough to deal with the elements of giant waves, including the bumpy parts.. If she surfs every day for a couple years, (and many biggies) after having the experience she already does, then she could, with high confidence and community support, nail that big baddie.
]]>By: Scotthttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216993
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 21:00:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216993WTF? Cant make this kinda shit up!

Laird was born Laird John Zerfas in San Francisco on March 2, 1964, in an experimental salt-water sphere at UCSF Medical Center designed to ease the mother’s labor.[1] His Greek
birth father, L. G. Zerfas, left the family before his first birthday.
While he was an infant, Laird and his mother, Joann (née Zyirek), moved
to Hawaii. While still a young boy living on Oahu, Laird met with 1960s surfer Bill Hamilton, a bachelor at the time, on Pūpūkea beach on the North Shore.
Bill Hamilton was a surfboard shaper and glasser on Oahu in the 1960s
and 1970s and owned a small business handmaking custom, high-performance
surfboards for the Oahu North Shore big wave riders of the era. The two
became immediate companions. The young Laird invited Bill Hamilton home
to meet his mother. Bill Hamilton married Laird’s then-single mother,
becoming Laird’s adoptive father.[2]

]]>By: rafaelhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216989
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 20:36:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216989beatifull , congrats Surfer and Justin!!!
]]>By: Michael O'Connellhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216987
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 20:29:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216987Laird is the man. He invented tow in surfing with his buddies. They don’t film waves to win the stupid macho puke of the year award. Everybody is giving him no respect about a subject he wrote the book on. He is not politically correct but then again he is not running for office or selling anything either so he can tell the truth without sugar coating it for the sensitive people. As far as hydrofoils go he seems to be the only one good enough to ride them. If you can’t do it teach. If you can’t teach critic.

I watched the film he is right. Look at McNamara’s rides he kicks out at the end of them. Same wave. Also instead of going straight he went left? So what do you can going straight like that the worlds biggest parry? The guy didn’t finish the ride he did wipe out mid face.

She has almost drown TWICE including being out cold the second time. She is going to drown sooner or later. If you can’t make it back to shore maybe you shouldn’t go out. Ask Jeff Clark he rode mavericks for 15 years alone without a ski. He didn’t film his shit either. Lots of macho hype around who got into the books for this or that. No respect for the people who got them there. GO HOME!

]]>By: Perrito Del Marhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216981
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 20:13:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216981…nobody listens to Turtle man.
]]>By: SURFVISION.TVhttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216971
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 19:43:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216971Im going explain what happened. Its like finding cure for cancer. The capitalist industry of surfboards shut down the process of the new amazing invention since the boards we are using right now are way more profitable and has a shorter period of life, agains the fantastic hydrofoils with last forever.
]]>By: Guesthttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216969
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 19:39:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216969I told you not to trust Lance Burkhart, no one likes a barney.
]]>By: Turtlehttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216967
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 19:31:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216967Lance Burkhart is an asshole, did North Shore teach you nothing??? What did you expect from this guy, did you not see it coming when he was a douchebag on national television. What a Barney.

Stay Loose haoles

]]>By: Caphttp://www.surfermag.com/blogs/opinion/promised-hydrofoils/#comment-2216965
Mon, 04 Nov 2013 19:30:00 +0000http://www.surfermag.com/?p=215801#comment-2216965Lost in the discussion regarding if it’s the “biggest wave ridden if the person fell during the ride” is the foundational wave that set the standard: Greg Noll’s ride at Makaha. It was the “record” and the standard by which all other waves were compared to for decades and his ride was a self-described “short drop to wipeout”. Have the standards changed or just Laird’s standard? Just a thought.
]]>